Journey Through the Unknown Realms: A Comparative Analysis of Dante’s Divine Comedy and ‘Over the Garden Wall’
By Samantha Arias
Dante’s Divine Comedy is a foundational work of Western literature that extends beyond its time, influencing generations of writers, poets, and artists. Through its rich allegorical and symbolic content, readers all over the world explore the theological, philosophical and political themes that add depth and complexity to the work. You would think that since it is a complicated and multilayered narrative poem, it would have nothing in common with an animated television miniseries on Cartoon Network but you would be wrong. Over the Garden Wall is a series made by Patrick McHale which displays many themes and elements also present in Dante’s poem. Both pieces adhere to the fundamental principles of a traditional epic and encompass elements characteristic of a spiritual odyssey.
The show begins with the characters Wirt and Greg, two siblings that have appeared lost in the midst of a dark forest. Right off the bat we see a resemblance with the start of Dante’s Poem. “Midway upon the journey of our life // I found myself within a forest dark, // For the straightforward pathway had been lost” (Longfellow, Dante I line 1-3). Both Dante, Wirt and Greg find themselves lost with no sense of direction. This then leads them on a mysterious journey to find their way home. Here, they both embark on a quest through otherworldly realms. Dante explores the afterlife while Wirt and Greg venture into a surreal and fantastical forest known as “The Unknown.”
Through their voyage, Dante is guided by the Roman poet, Virgil, through Hell and Purgatory, and later by Beatrice through Paradise. While Wirt is accompanied by his brother Greg and led by a talking bluebird curiously also named Beatrice. “Among their guides aer Beatrice the Bluebird, whom is the first to greet the boys when they awaken in the Unknown just as Dante is later guided by a woman of the same name” (Wilson, Pg. 7). There is a resemblance in where both Beatrice's stand as the protagonists guide. Both characters hold allegorical significance as Angel Beatrice embodies divine and idealized love, representing a higher spiritual plane. The bluebird Beatrice, while not divine, carries symbolic weight as a guide and source of wisdom, contributing to the moral and emotional growth of the characters. Both Beatrice’s are a pivotal role in the protagonist's journey as they contribute to the transformation and redemption of the characters as they learn important life lessons and overcome personal challenges.In addition to their compassionate guides, Wirt and Greg mirror the personality traits of Dante and Virgil. Wirt exhibits qualities reminiscent of Dante, embodying the characteristics of a youthful romantic and displaying a cautious demeanor. On the other hand, Greg embodies Virgil's optimistic values, guiding Wirt and himself with unwavering positivity and fearlessness.
In the beginning of their journey, Wirt and Greg receive a haunting warning from a mysterious man known only as the Woodsman saying, “Beware the unknown, fear the beast, and leave these woods if you can. It is your burden to bear!” (McHale, S01 01). This caution bears a striking resemblance to Dante’s infamous inscription over the entrance to Hell, “All hope abandon, ye who enter in!” (Longfellow, Dante III Line 9). The parallel between the two warnings emphasizes the universal theme of a traditional epic where the travelers confront a sense of foreboding and an acknowledgment of the challenges that lie ahead.
The challenges that lay ahead bring moral and ethical lessons to both narratives. In Dante's Inferno, there is an allegory for the consequences of sin and pursuit of divine redemption. Over the Garden Wall imparts lessons about courage, friendship, and self-discovery as the protagonists navigate the challenges in the Unknown. In Inferno, there are corresponding cyclical punishments associated with every sin. Which we then see occuring in Over the Garden Wall. “The winding paths that lie within the wood of the Unknown are home to many creatures that receive punishment for some transgression passed” (Wilson, Pg. 15). For example, one of the many tales is a story about a young helpless girl named Lorna. In moments of idleness, Lorna transforms into a voracious creature, consuming any unsuspecting visitors who cross her path. One of her recurring duties involves organizing the bones of her victims. She is in a perpetual state of fatigue and without power to make her own decisions. The punishment inflicted upon Lorna is perpetual and follows a cyclical pattern, emphasizing the relentless nature of her retribution.
Finally, both narratives lead to a common evil. The Beast that they are warned of lurking in the woods plays a role akin to that of Satan, aiming to misguide and deceive souls to ensnare them for his own gain. While the physical characteristics of the Beast differ from Dante’s portrayal of Satan, as the Beast is mobile and speaks, unlike Dante’s silent and chained Satan, both entities share the commonality of being sinners with the intention of leading souls into damnation. “Come wayward souls, who wander through the darkness, there is a light for the lost and the meek. Hard woe and fear, are easily forgotten, when you submit to the soil of the earth” (McHale, S01 10). The Beast’s song is powerful and terrifying as it calls to the weak souls. He calls those with brittle wills to give themselves up to him.
Dante’s Divine Comedy and Over the Garden Wall may seem worlds apart, yet there are clear inspirations taken from one to the other. Both adhering to the core principles of traditional epics, exploring themes of self-discovery, morality, and the enduring journey of the human spirit. Dante’s extraordinary work continues to inspire and influence diverse creative endeavors, including the animated series by Patrick Mchale. Despite the differences in medium and tones, both works stand as testament to the enduring power of storytelling.
Bibliography
Alighieri, Dante. “Digital Dante.” Inferno 1 – Digital Dante, 2014, digitaldante.columbia.edu/dante/divine-comedy/inferno/inferno-1/. Accessed 19 Nov. 2023.
Wilson, Justine Nicole. Heroes in Patrick McHale’s Over the Garden Wall: A Reading of the Modern Epic. ProQuest Dissertations Publishing, 2015.
McHale, Patrick. Dir. Bert Youn. Over the Garden Wall: The Complete Series. Cartoon Network, 2014.